James Alexander "Alex" Carruthers Ph.D.

Carruthers, James Alexander (Ph. D.) "Alex" of St. Paul, previously of St. Anthony Village. Beloved husband of Marie of St. Paul, who preceded him in death on July 28, 2008. Born 1921 in Melbourne, Ontario, Canada, he passed away on November 12, 2009 at age 88 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Survived by son Jeffrey (Mary), daughter Nancy Huisenga (Dave) and son Phil (Karmen). Also survived by grandchildren Sarah, Rebecca, Bryne, Ethan, Erin, Anna, Alexander and Rory. Survived by great-grandchildren Malcom, Alice and Grayson. Also survived by sisters Lourene Scott of Guelph, Ontario and Marg Walsh of Toronto, Ontario, as well as many nieces and nephews. A superb athlete and student, he graduated with a B.A. and M.A. in Physics from the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada in 1943 and 1944 respectively; served in the Canadian Navy 1944-45; received a Ph.D. in Physics from McGill University, Montreal, Quebec in 1949; scientist and section head, Atomic Defence, at the Defence Research Board of Canada, 1951-59. He lived in England for 3 years while working with the British government's team to develop atomic capability. He was a Physics professor at McGill University, Montreal, Canada, 1959-62; research scientist, Honeywell Aerospace, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1962-64; and a Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, until he retired in 1986. His travels have taken him all over the world, including several tours for atomic research for the British Defence Ministry in Australia during the 1950's. He was a dedicated physicist, researcher and teacher through much of his life. An avid dancer, he loved Big Band music. After retirement, he worked hard on Phil's Minnesota House of Representatives campaigns and built a cabin in northern Wisconsin. He enjoyed hunting and fishing in the northern woods of Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as bird-watching and hiking during winter months spent in Green Valley, Arizona. He loved to play bridge, talk politics and encourage his children and grandchildren to excel in all they did. His family will miss him greatly and think of him often. Services at Washburn-McReavy Hillside Chapel at 2610 19th Avenue N.E, Minneapolis, MN 55418 (612) 781-1999, on Monday, November 16: visitation at 3 pm; funeral ceremony at 4:30 pm. Interment in Guelph, Ontario, Canada in May, 2010. In place of flowers, donations can be made to the University of Minnesota Foundation in memory of James Alex Carruthers.

Tributes

James Alexander "Alex" Carruthers Ph.D.

November 15, 2009

Tributes

James Alexander "Alex" Carruthers Ph.D.

November 15, 2009

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